Thread by @tinigngplaridel

HAPPENING NOW: For the first time in three years, @UP_POLSCi holds AktiBisita in person.

#Aktibisita2023 is an election forum for political parties in UP Diliman.

Follow this thread for updates.

#HalalanUPD2023

@UP_POLSCi Julia Labao, @UP_POLSCi President opens the forum: Aktibisita aims to cultivate a sense of inclusivity and integrate the activist spirit deeply ingrained in the university’s culture.

#Aktibisita2023
#HalalanUPD2023

Present in the forum are @standupdiliman and @UPALYANSA.

STAND UP’s reps are:
Neo Aison, USC Chairperson Candidate
Louise Espiña, USC Vice-Chairperson Candidate

UP ALYANSA’s reps are:
Jaira Del Mundo, USC Chairperson Candidate
Kian Noguera, Eduk Rep to the USC Candidate

@standupdiliman @UPALYANSA Del Mundo takes the place of Tricia Quarte, supposed @UPALYANSA representative for the forum.

Quarte will not be able to attend due to health concerns, the party told Tinig ng Plaridel.

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@standupdiliman @UPALYANSA For the third straight year, @kaisaUP did not participate in the election forum despite being invited by the UP Political Society.

No candidates ran under the said party for the University Student Council student elections.

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@standupdiliman @UPALYANSA @kaisaUP @standupdiliman now presents their party identity and campaigns.

Aison highlights the party's principles of forwarding rights to a “national, scientific and mass-oriented” education.

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@standupdiliman @UPALYANSA @kaisaUP Espiña on @standupdiliman’s militancy and integration with the community: Kailangan natin [...] makipamuhay sa iba’t ibang sektor sa komunidad para patuloy na pag-aralan ang kanilang pamumuhay at kanilang sakit na nararamdaman.

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@standupdiliman @UPALYANSA @kaisaUP Del Mundo of @UPALYANSA presents the party’s four pillars: student representation, advocacy campaigns, student leadership and empowerment and political and resistance work.

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@standupdiliman @UPALYANSA @kaisaUP Noguera sheds light on @UPALYANSA’s projects for women empowerment, voters’ education and basic student services, among others.

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@standupdiliman @UPALYANSA @kaisaUP The forum proceeds with the fast talk. Representatives are given five boards – Strongly Agree, Agree, Abstain, Disagree and Strongly Disagree – to raise as response to prompts.

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@standupdiliman @UPALYANSA @kaisaUP On the “good” state of political participation of UP:

@standupdiliman: AGREE
@UPALYANSA: AGREE

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@standupdiliman @UPALYANSA @kaisaUP On Atty. Vistan as the UP Diliman chancellor:

@standupdiliman: AGREE
@UPALYANSA: DISAGREE

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@standupdiliman clarifies their response.

“If we can forge relationships with him. We will dahil kinikilala natin ang bigger enemy na Marcos-Duterte administration.”

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On allowing the International Criminal Court to probe the country’s drug war:

@standupdiliman: STRONGLY AGREE
@UPALYANSA: STRONGLY AGREE

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On whether UP administration has been doing enough to protect the university against red-tagging:

@standupdiliman: STRONGLY DISAGREE
@UPALYANSA: STRONGLY DISAGREE

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On parliamentary struggle, urban insurrection and armed struggle not being mutually exclusive:

@standupdiliman: STRONGLY AGREE
@UPALYANSA: STRONGLY AGREE

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On abolishing the UPCAT to make university admission “more equitable”:

@standupdiliman: STRONGLY AGREE
@UPALYANSA: AGREE

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@standupdiliman @UPALYANSA On whether former Vice President Leni Robredo should run for senator in the 2025 elections:

@standupdiliman: AGREE
@UPALYANSA: AGREE

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@standupdiliman @UPALYANSA On whether the university should punish students who use artificial intelligence in their academic requirements:

@standupdiliman: DISAGREE
@UPALYANSA: AGREE

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@standupdiliman @UPALYANSA On the “two-party dynamic” of UPD’s campus politics as optimal for democratic participation:

@standupdiliman: AGREE
@UPALYANSA: STRONGLY AGREE

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On whether the UP admin has been sufficient in supporting campus publications:

@standupdiliman: DISAGREE
@UPALYANSA: DISAGREE

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@standupdiliman clarifies their response.

“May mga publications na hindi nire-recognize at hindi nakakakuha ng sapat na suporta like finances from the admin.”

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On public-private partnerships as “good ways” to compensate for budget cuts:

@standupdiliman: STRONGLY DISAGREE
@UPALYANSA: STRONGLY DISAGREE

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@standupdiliman @UPALYANSA @UPALYANSA clarifies their response:

“The commercializations absolve Duterte and Marcos from accountability.”

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@standupdiliman @UPALYANSA On EDCA and Balikatan Exercises as deterrents against Chinese aggression:

@standupdiliman: STRONGLY DISAGREE
@UPALYANSA: STRONGLY DISAGREE

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Next is the Akti-Bakbakan or the Q and A portion. Parties will be given the chance to interpellate.

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Q1: How can the national government protect our national interests without depending on foreign powers?

@standupdiliman cites the Hague ruling in asserting the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea.

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CONTEXT: In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in Hague, Netherlands granted the Philippines sovereign rights over some areas in the West Philippine Sea and invalidated the nine-dash claim of China.

Read: tinyurl.com/5xzshyjb

@UPALYANSA says the US is only using the country as a “pawn to attain more power.”

“Ang presence ng Amerika ay patuloy lamang na pinapapalala ang dispute.”

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@UPALYANSA Q2: Do you agree with the need for charter change to rectify problems in the 1987 Constitution? If yes, how should changes look like? If no, what are potential alternatives?

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@UPALYANSA @UPALYANSA disagrees: “Sa panahon ngayon, hindi kailangan si charter change at dapat mag-focus sa mga tunay na problema ng Pilipino tulad ng inflation.”

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@UPALYANSA @standupdiliman says the 14-billion-peso budget to be allotted for constitutional convention should be given instead to the people, including the university.

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@UPALYANSA @standupdiliman @UPALYANSA interpellates: Sa usapang budget, matagal na itong ipinaglalaban ng UP ALYANSA.

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Q3: How can the Philippine Left unite to form a stronger opposition?

@standupdiliman says they believe in the principle of “Unite, Struggle, Unite” to forward resolutions and campaigns.

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@standupdiliman @UPALYANSA affirms the need to forge a “stronger opposition”: Ang mga nangyayari noon, nangyayari pa rin siya ngayon. [...] Dito naa-amplify na isa lang ang kalaban natin.

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@standupdiliman @UPALYANSA @standupdiliman invites attendees to attend tomorrow’s mobilization against campus militarization, to be held at the Commission on Higher Education.

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@standupdiliman @UPALYANSA Q4: To what extent are developed countries accountable for the country’s environmental issues vis-a-vis the national government? How can we hold them accountable?

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@standupdiliman @UPALYANSA @UPALYANSA cites the Mindoro oil spill as an effect of allowing foreign ownership in the oil industry.

On accountability, the party says: Kailangan ma-hold accountable ang mga developed countries dahil iniiwan tayo sa ere.

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@standupdiliman @UPALYANSA @standupdiliman: Sa isyu ng climate change, kalakhan nang nagiging damage sa ating bansa dahil sa iilan lamang sa malalaking korporasyon tulad ng US at China. The way to fight climate change is to fight imperialism.

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@standupdiliman @UPALYANSA @UPALYANSA interpellates: Nakikita [rito] yung harms sa charter change na gusto nilang magpapasok ng marami pang foreign-owned companies.

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@standupdiliman @UPALYANSA @standupdiliman interpellates: One of the best ways para payamanin ang ekonomiya is to cut all ties sa mga nandarambong sa bansa.

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Q5: On the UP community’s lack of representation in the Board of Regents, how could we concretely push for reform of the BOR? What specific reforms could be made?

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@standupdiliman says the BOR is “reactionary”: Hindi natin hahayaan na dahil ganito ang BOR ay ganyan na lang ito.

They call for an additional staff regent.

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@UPALYANSA: Nakakalungkot at nakakadismaya na makita sa lahat ng mga desisyon ng BOR ay hindi tunay na nirerepresenta ang tunay na kailangan ng unibersidad.

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@standupdiliman interpellates: Isusulong natin yung mga campaigns na magtutulak sa democratic rights ng mga students natin.

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@UPALYANSA says a concrete solution is to lobby changes on the UP Charter.

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@UPALYANSA Q6: How should the university’s academic policies adapt to AI?

@UPALYANSA acknowledges that there are deep-seated issues embedded in the rise of AI.

They maintain that they "don’t believe in punitive justice, dapat restorative. Kailangan may academic integrity pa rin tayo.”

@UPALYANSA @standupdiliman: Hindi po natin kinokodena ang academic dishonesty, pero at the same time kailangan natin ugatin ano nga ba nagtutulak sa mga estudyante sa paghanap ng tulong sa AI. Kailangang aralin ito sa pag-adapt ng academic policies.

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@UPALYANSA @standupdiliman @UPALYANSA says addressing inaccessibility of education should be prioritized.

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@standupdiliman interpellates: Para makabuo ng academic policies na nagre-reflect sa kailangan ng estudyante, dapat tinatanong ang mga estudyante kung bakit nagre-resort sila sa academic dishonesty.

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Q7: How can you address the lapses that compromised the advocacy-driven goals of UP Fair? What changes can be implemented to make future iterations of UP Fair stay true to its essence as a protest fair?

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@standupdiliman: Kailangan bumalik tayo sa kampanya na nilalagay sa UP Fair.

The party sees the need to recognize the “lapses” in this year’s fair.

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@standupdiliman @UPALYANSA on screening night-handlers: We need to see their plans and advocacy before financial capability.

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@standupdiliman @UPALYANSA Q8: Amid calls for equity, should the UPCAT still be implemented? Do you have any alternative proposals to this system?

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@UPALYANSA says there is a need for a “more centralized” system in the admissions process.

They believe that UPCAT is inaccessible for students who have "financial incapabilities."

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@UPALYANSA @standupdiliman: Naniniwala po kami na hindi dapat nalilimit ang may access sa libre at dekalidad na edukasyon. Hindi lang dapat UP ang may quality education, kundi lahat ng higher educational institution natin.

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@UPALYANSA says the government should “centralize the system” to other universities.

“Nakita na ang rason kung bakit nagfa-flock ang mga estudyante sa UP ay dahil walang tuition. Kahit na may state-owned universities, walang sapat na budget.”

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@standupdiliman reiterates their principle of forwarding a quality and mass-oriented education among all universities and colleges.

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Q9: How can we go about challenging the backward cultures and institutions propagated by fraternities? Is the call, “End Frat-Related Violence” still relevant or is it now more appropriate to call their abolition?

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@standupdiliman: We stand by the call to fraternity-related violence hindi lamang sa loob na pamantasan pero pati rin sa national.

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@UPALYANSA: We need more support sa FRV victims and demand accountability [from fraternities] and question their very existence.

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@standupdiliman interpellates: Karapatan ng mga organisasyon at fraternity na mag-organisa pero dapat ang idinidiin ay ang ang kanilang kultura.

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@UPALYANSA counters STAND UP's statement with a question: Should fraternities have the right to organize if they infringe the right to live?

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@UPALYANSA Q10: As we now face drastic adjustments brought by the transition to face-to-face classes, as student leaders, how can you further revive the vibrant activist spirit of the University of the Philippines?

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@UPALYANSA @UPALYANSA: Dapat pinapalakas natin ang representation ng students, at dapat nauuna ang USC para ipaglaban ang ating mga karapatan.

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@UPALYANSA @standupdiliman highlights the importance of education beyond the walls of the university, such as in the form of basic mass integrations.

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@UPALYANSA @standupdiliman @UPALYANSA: Everyone has the capacity to change, we just have to tap [into that initiative] to help the people.

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@UPALYANSA @standupdiliman @standupdiliman: Kailangan nating iangkop ang mga proyekto at aktibidad sa mga kailangan ng mga mag-aaral.

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@UPALYANSA @standupdiliman The floor is now open for questions from the audience.

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Q1 to Del Mundo (UP ALYANSA): Bilang isang safe sex advocate, ano ang masasabi mo sa mga abuso ng STAND UP?

Del Mundo: Naniniwala ako na dapat may hustisya at internal accountability measures ng kahit anumang kaso ng harassment and abuse.

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The question was asked by former STAND UP member Froilan Cariaga.

He prefaced his inquiry with claims that his former party has mishandled cases of sexual harassment within its ranks in previous years.

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Del Mundo: Sa @UPALYANSA, meron kaming zero-tolerance policy. Kaya naming magpatalsik ng mga miyembro na may case of sexual harassment.

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@UPALYANSA Q2: Kulang ang binibigay ng admin sa mga campus publication, sa tingin ninyo ano ang pinakamalaking problema na hinaharap ng [mga] campus pub at konrektong [plano] para makatulong sa publikasyon?

Mik Geriane of Kalasag posed the question.

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@standupdiliman: May naka-allot na budget sa mga campus publication pero hindi agarang nakukuha.

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@standupdiliman mentioned the need to strengthen institutions in the university such as the publications.

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@UPALYANSA: ‘Yung problema ay nasa resources ng ating campus press.

They iterated the need to provide protection to campus publications “the same protection they gave to us.”

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Q to Aison (STAND UP): Isn’t recognizing Vistan as councilor recognizing the problematic existence of the BOR and legitimizing frats?

Anna Cubacub from @upbabaylan asked the question.

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Aison, @standupdiliman: Si Vistan ang Chancellor by paper. Ang hamon ay ang pakikipag-usap kay Vistan para sa pagtulong sa mga iba’t ibang sektor.

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@standupdiliman Q4: [Are there] fratmen in your organization? If yes, is it stopping you from abolishing [frats]?

UP Babaylan member Harrie Serrano lodged the inquiry.

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@standupdiliman @UPALYANSA: There are no fratmen in UP ALYANSA and in our [USC] lineup. We have never fielded fratmen since the issue on frat-related violence.

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@standupdiliman: Yes po, may member ng fraternity sa aming line up, at walang kinalaman yan sa stance. Kailangan nating ibalik ang ugat ng FRV at ano ang nilalaban natin.

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@standupdiliman Q5: [About an] UPSILON member who is also a UP ALYANSA member, what have you done to hold them accountable before Polaris in relation to your stance to abolish fraternities?

UP Fair Co-Head Ron Medina raised the question.

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@standupdiliman Del Mundo: We had him sign a contract: if his fraternity is involved in FRV he will step down. We do not condone his decision and we have no influence on his decision to go back to UPSILON.

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@standupdiliman Q to STAND UP: How can you genuinely serve your constituents if you reduce the legitimate calls of your constituents into mere subjectivities?

Incumbent USC Vice Chairperson Shine Reyes posed the question.

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@standupdiliman Reyes grounded her inquiry on the recent UP Diliman Chancellor selection where students stormed and rammed the doors of Quezon Hall.

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@standupdiliman @standupdiliman: Kung may mga formal complaints, sumasindig po tayo sa necessary process na nakahalaw din at nakasunod din sa student conduct.

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@standupdiliman Q to both parties: Pareho kayong sumasang-ayon sa armed struggle. Paano kayo nagpapakita ng pagsuporta dito pati rin sa mga mobilizations?

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@standupdiliman @standupdiliman: Ipapatawag natin ang pagkakaroon ng peace talks. Ang papanawagan natin sa peace talk ay pagbubukas ng diskusyon kung bakit sila nagkakaroo’n ng rebolusyon.

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@UPALYANSA: It is a valid form of resistance for those who don’t have democratic spaces left.

They believe that it is essential to solve the root causes of armed struggle.

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@UPALYANSA Q to UP ALYANSA: How can you uphold your stance against FRV when you have a history of bullying that has led to a student leader’s death before?

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@UPALYANSA: UP ALYANSA has always been for ending FRV. In the case that you mentioned, we recognize having a proper process to address [this issue.]

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Q to UP ALYANSA: On the subject of cheating in an Economics subject involving a member of UP ALYANSA, how can we expect your leaders to uphold honor before excellence and trust that you truly hold your members accountable?

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@UPALYANSA: There have already been [sanctions] and they will receive it which is why the econ admin is calling to not make the issue bigger.

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@UPALYANSA gives their closing statement.

“Sana sa ating mga naging diskusyon ngayong gabi, nakita at na-criticize natin further ang ating mga kandidato.”

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For their closing statement, @standupdiliman says: Hindi lamang sa panahon ng election involved ang studentry kundi opportunity ito na mapagkaisa at makaisa ang mga students at ang buong komunidad.

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Jeman Malibiran of @UP_POLSCi delivers the closing remarks: Nakakita tayo ng iba’t ibang anyo ng aktibismo. Nais ko kayong bigyan ng isa pang imahe ng aktibista: ang aktibistang nakikinig – at iyon ang goal ng #Aktibisita2023.

#HalalanUPD2023

#Aktibisita2023 has now ended. Tune in to Tinig ng Plaridel for more updates on #HalalanUPD2023.